History in pictures. Cognitive painting J. Scott Nicol

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Some people are deeply convinced that "art should": be, seem, look, warn, teach … And they are terribly upset if the work of this or that author does not return these "debts". But today you will be rewarded for your patience. The point is that the artist J. Scott Nicol, which will be discussed today, loves both painting and history. And also - his grandfather, whom he had never seen. And with his works, the creation of which the artist was inspired by the work of his grandfather, he tells us in oil on canvas story in pictures … The artist's childhood memories are very vivid and picturesque. He remembers that his family traveled throughout the country, moving from Arizona to Washington, Illinois, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. As a child, it was very difficult for him to get used to new places, taking into account the fact that these places were changing, as in a kaleidoscope, but he was reassured by one thought - he would definitely spend the holidays in his grandfather's house, where there is a wonderful attic, and pictures are stacked in the attic … At one time, the boy's grandfather was a plein air painter, and in the attic, in addition to paintings, his easels and paints remained, so that a child who had never seen his grandfather could sit for hours at an easel, imagining how he worked here when he was alive …

It was his grandfather's paintings that inspired the boy so much that he entered Rutgers University, where he studied painting and photography, and eventually received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. "I loved it all: from oil painting and mixing beautiful colors, to drawing simple scribbles with rich colors on a blank sheet, admiring how the colors change into one another, and how a boring white sheet of paper becomes colorful and bright," says the artist.

One of the most interesting series of paintings that Jay Scott Nichol has ever created are photorealistic depictions of books lined up on shelves by theme. Here you can find symbols of the 70s, prominent historical figures, books for the soul, and cities of dreams and childhood. Politics and art, fairy tales and wars, sea and music … So, in his unique style, the author tells us a story. By the way, he still uses the old paints found in the attic in his paintings - in memory of his grandfather and in gratitude for his inspiration - he simply adds them to the new ones.